Jefferson Hagen
MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – Do the math and the Griffins men's hockey team can clinch a playoff spot this weekend.
They're off to visit the Manitoba Bisons – the team directly chasing them for the final post-season berth in the Canada West East Division – and would clinch a playoff spot if they win both games this weekend in regulation.
Don't tell them that, though. They're focused on the process that it takes to win hockey games.
"We're not trying to put too much pressure on things," said head coach Zack Dailey. "All year we've talked about preparing the same way no matter what. So, for us, we're just focused on playing our best hockey. If we do that, we think we have a good chance to get the results that we want."
MacEwan is eight points ahead of Manitoba, so if they win both, they'd be 12 points up with only six regular season games remaining for both teams, and they'd have the head-to-head tiebreaker in their pocket should they need it.
Conversely, it's a four-point swing weekend, so the Bisons have a chance to make it a race if they can get both games.
Also headed out on the road are MacEwan's basketball teams as they both visit the UFV Cascades in Abbotsford, B.C.
MEN'S HOCKEY
On Tap
Friday: at Manitoba, 6 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Saturday: at Manitoba, 1 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Last meeting
Oct. 26: Manitoba 3 at MacEwan 4 (OT)
Last game
Jan. 18: Mount Royal 2 at MacEwan 1
Jan. 18: Manitoba 0 at Saskatchewan 5
2024-25 records
MacEwan: 8-10-2 – 3rd East Division
Manitoba: 4-14-2 – 4th East Division
Zack Dailey's coach's quote
"We were unhappy with our play last weekend, especially the Saturday. Too many mistakes the Friday, way too many mistakes the Saturday. Obviously, a great goaltender kept us in the game. But we want to be playing our best hockey at the end of the year to give us the best chance to win hockey games, whether that's in playoffs or just to fight for playoffs. So, that's really our focus this week – preparing the right way, practising a little bit harder, and making sure that we get our compete level and our physicality up a little bit."
Players to watch
MacEwan: Sam Simard – The second-year forward had the overtime winner the last time these two teams met on Oct. 29 at the Downtown Community Arena. He has 13 points in 20 games this season, but hasn't scored since Nov. 16, so he's due.
Manitoba: Riley Stotts – Manitoba's leading scorer with 24 points in 20 games is red hot with two goals and six assists in four games since Christmas. He's also a major key to the third-ranked powerplay in Canada West with 14 powerplay assists – second-best in the conference.
Sofia Makinen stood out with seven points and seven rebounds in the Griffins' last game against Lethbridge, despite switching to forward for the game (James Maclennan photo).
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
On Tap
Friday: at UFV, 7 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Saturday: at UFV 4 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Last meeting
Nov. 5, 2022: UFV 81 at MacEwan 64
Last game
Jan. 18: Lethbridge 70 at MacEwan 44
Jan. 18: UFV 69 at UBC 88
2024-25 records
MacEwan: 0-12 – 10th Prairie Division
UFV: 9-5 – 2nd Pacific Division
Katherine Adams' coach's quote
"It's always tough when injuries or illness get thrown your way. You manage it as best as you can. It really opens doors for other people to step into new roles and find a different way to contribute.
"I think we've seen some people step into some different roles and step up and say, 'hey, what do you need from me. I'm here to help.' Those things really add to the adaptability and versatility of some of our athletes. It's kind of what we need in the moment."
Players to watch
MacEwan: Sofia Makinen – The 5-foot-9 guard stepped up last weekend to play forward after injuries, illnesses and absences left the Griffins with just seven players on Saturday. Makinen acquitted herself well in the unfamiliar position, recording seven points, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists in a loss to Lethbridge.
UFV – Julia Tuchscherer – When the 6-foot- 2 fourth-year forward gets the ball, she scores more often than not. Currently third in Canada West in field goal percentage (52.8), she's second on the Cascades in points/game (11.9) and second in rebounds/game (6.4).
Hugo Alonso combined for 32 points in two games against Lethbridge last weekend (James Maclennan photo).
MEN'S BASKETBALL
On Tap
Friday: at UFV, 9 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Saturday: at UFV 6 p.m. MT, Canada West TV
Last meeting
Nov. 5, 2022: UFV 88 at MacEwan 81
Last game
Jan. 18: Lethbridge 91 at MacEwan 84
Jan. 18: UFV 88 at UBC 93 (2OT)
2024-25 records
MacEwan: 2-10 – 9th Prairie Division
UFV: 5-9 – 5th Pacific Division
Mike Connolly's coach's quote
"We play a tough UFV team coming off a difficult double overtime game with UBC. They are a good defensive team, who are playing really well right now. We have to match their defensive intensity for the full game and not have any breakdowns."
Players to watch
MacEwan: Hugo Alonso – In his first regular season action since Nov. 23, the forward was arguably the Griffins' best player in a two-game series vs. Lethbridge last weekend, recording 32 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in the two contests. For the season, the Spaniard is
UFV: Takeshi Croke – There are many reasons the UFV Cascades are among the best defensive teams in Canada West, and Croke's contributions certainly help the cause. He's sixth in the conference in steals/game (2.2), so the Griffins will have to be aware of his ball hawking skills. He can also score, too, sitting fourth on the Cascades in points/game (8.6).
